I am 45 and deep into perimenopause. My biggest complaints are the severe hot flashes, anxiety, and spiking blood pressure. I am not on any treatments. I do have a long standing issue with anxiety - treated with Xanax. I am also on Synthroid for hypothyroidism. I am a smoker.

My blood pressure used to be great - 90/60 for years. As I started in peri, I noticed that it started creeping up to around 130/80. For the past few months, I have been experiencing a sudden rise in readings due to severe hot flashes, and unless I simply LAY DOWN, the readings stay up until I DO relax. Stopping to relax isn't an option that most women have unfortunately.

I am taking calcium and magnesium to try to keep things somewhat steady - sometimes that works - sometimes not. I try to eat good overall (although NOT perfect) - and I avoid items such as caffeine, chocolate and such. I am trying to eat celery which I read is good for lowering blood pressure.

My hot flashes are the kind that stay for 30+ minutes, with a brief respite, only to hit for another 30+ minutes. I have multiple flashes throughout the day - I simply feel like I am in one constant hot flash. I do not sweat (at all - even under the worse weather conditions) - so maybe part of my problem is that I am unable to cool down.

So, my question is this - should I be concerned when I am having spiking blood pressure readings (150+/95+) for days when I am having these blasted flashes? On weeks when I have days of constant hot flashes? I will say they go DOWN when I relax or recline or when I go to bed - but for the regular hours that I am up and active - the readings also stay high.

I will add that on some weeks or months - my pressure readings are FINE - within acceptable medical tolerances. I hate to go on medicine for the weeks that this occurs - since it is not a constant thing - but I am concerned when I have a spell of hot flashes for 2 or more weeks and my readings are elevated that high. Other months, as I have said, my readings are fine.

Should I be concerned or should I treat such a situation or simply try to relax more and give my body the rest it is crying out for?

Additional info - I am unable to take the traditional herbs (black cohosh, dong quai, etc) due to an old seizure disorder. So, that options are out for hot flashes.

THANKS for any comments.

"Sadly, most people experience no discernable sign of high blood pressure until the damage is done and cannot be reversed. Chronic high blood pressure can shorten your lifespan by 10–20 years and is linked with some of our most entrenched degenerative problems, like type 2 diabetes and coronary heart disease (CHD). Ultimately, hypertension places you at high risk for stroke, heart attack, and renal failure."

Of course you should be concerned! You should also stop smoking NOW, but I'll bet you know that.

Have you tried acupuncture? I've heard that helps. Maybe a naturopathic doctor is something to consider. Your situation seems pretty complex, given all you have to deal with. A medical "partner" you feel comfortable with might ease your mind.

I'm sure someone in this forum has dealt with blood pressure issues and will post shortly. I just wanted you to know that you aren't alone. Take care and hang in there.

Just to give one an idea - today I am 'calm' and not flashing - at least for the MOMENT. My resting BP is 131/79 - a number I can live with. THIS is why I am hesitant to go on full-blown blood pressure medicine. These different types of swings are why I question things. When taking my BP, I try to do all the recommendations - don't do it when stressed, sit for 5 minutes, don't dwell on the process, etc. And I don't take my BP but a couple of times a day - so I don't feel I am obsessing on the issue - only when flashing and hot, I guess, do I even consider the BP issue.

This was just an FYI update.

Since your BP seems to spike mostly when you are having the hot flashes, you might try natural remedies for the hot flashes. I take Estroven, which has black cohash and natural plant estrogen in it. It has helped me a lot. I am 7 months without a period, and I wake up sometime at night feeling very warm, but not too hot. Same thing during the day. I haven't had a full blown hot flash since I started taking the Estroven. You can buy it any drug store. I think it's keeping my hot flashes at bay.

Try drinking cold water when one starts up. There are lots of ways to deal with them.

Good luck,
WriterMom

Dee...Your priority should be to get help to stop smoking, like ASAP!! As we get older, our arteries get stiffer and smoking definitely contributes to cardiovascular disease. It raises the blood pressure. Also, you didn't say anything about exercise. I have very high blood pressure and have been exercising, pretty consistently, for 25 years. Exercise helps relieve stress and also when I was in peri, it helped with hot flashes...seems counter intuitive but it worked.

Take care!

CG

Yes, I agree, stop smoking and if you are able, try a bit of exercise. Nothing major...maybe just a walk around the block to start. I'm also one of those who have exercised and worked out almost my whole life so I am an avid walker (when my CFS isn't flaring).

Also, you might try a cold compress or ice or ice water on the inside of your wrists during a hot flash.
I haven't tried this but a friend told me this works for her so I thought I'd pass on the info.

Also, IMO, you should have your doctor check your b/p and keep an eye on it.

Take good care!!

What has your doctor said about your blood pressure? I know mine would spike once in a while and since my doc has been keeping an eye on it, he is not concerned at this time. I just went to the doc last week and my bp was 130/80 and he didn't bat an eye. I exercise, do yogo, meditate (which is something that is helping with anxiety) and eating as healthy as I can. I know our BP can spike during peri. I had a friend who's blood pressure went up to 200/100 for about 8 months (she was on meds for it after that) and then when her bp started coming down, the doc slowly decreased her medicine and now that she is post, she takes nothing as her pressure is fine now. I think stopping smoking would be wonderful if it is possible for you to stop. I know that can cause your bp to go higher and not drinking caffiene helps too. It is scary when all these changes start. I know I feel better reading this board and all I have learned in the past few years. Take care.

Mopsy

Hi Dee Dee - I too have similar circumstances. I am trying to stay as calm as possible, drink little caffeine, eat properly with no salt added to foods, exercise regularly...and on and on it goes. I am taking Hawthorne for my bp and L-Theanine to help me with my anxiety. My bp readings are similar to yours. It is hard when you have had good bp all your life to come to terms with this situation. My doctor reassured me by saying that for some of us this is what happens as we age. I also felt better when he told me that he is on bp meds too, and he has truly been (known his 35 years) the epiitome of vigour, proper nutrition and exercise. He doesn't want me on meds as yet, but is encouraging me to lower it naturally and to continue to exercise. I am doing the best that I can but not worrying about it anymore. It is what it is...

Sincerely,
Suz

I want to thank everyone for their input. I am going to answer various comments and questions in this post.

Yes - I know the smoking is not good for me and I realize that smoking can cause the hot flashes to be more intense - that and the long standing anxiety condition - I try to cope and change the bad as I can .

I am moderately active - most days you will find me stroll walking for a good 2 hours or more on my property - not power walking, mind you, but I do feel I am moderately active. I am limited somewhat from heavy stuffs due to chronic costochronditis - that bothers me about as much as the hot flashes - I like to work in the yard and this costo limits me greatly. On acupuncture, no, I haven't tried it but I do try to practice acupressure and/or trigger point manipulation - helps the costo, too.

I am unable to take the herbs due to an old seizure disorder (that is not currently being treated with meds) but I will check out the Estroven. I did like the idea of ice pack on the wrists - I will try that plus I have read on this site about the peppermint oil. I just want a way to cope with flashes and try to endure until they are finished (if it doesn't finish me first .

I have read of the L-Theanine and have wanted to try it - I am a big believer on such items. Right now, I take L-Taurine (have for years on recommendation of a holistic doctor) for the seizure disorder - good success there - no grand mals since 1997. I miss that holistic doctor but he has moved on and I can't get to him as easily as before. Miss him even more when you read of my doc experiences below.

My doctor? Ahhh - a good question. He is concerned, once tried to put on a beta blocker which almost landed me in ER with restricted breathing - but now, he is 'letting it slide' - he says some of my readings are from the pain of costo - I haven't been to him yet on the peri - why? He doesn't like to treat such items. He sent me to a gyno locally and SHE denied that I was in peri because I was not 'statically 51 years of age yet' - won't be going back to HER - I hope she has hot flashes bad, .
I plan to touch base with my doc on my next visit - see if he will work better with me on this peri instead of sending me to such wacky gynos - I again miss my old gyno - but he, too, is too far now for me to visit. (I live in a rural area).

Again on the doctor and BP - I 'monitor' my readings and I have noticed a 'trend' - highest during my period and into ovulation then it evens out - only to repeat itself again the next month. Some months the BP doesn't spike as high, other months it goes crazy - I think even HE is hesitant to add me to BP. He also knows I prefer natural IF POSSIBLE so he is letting me try to cal/mag, etc. He has several pages of BP readings on me - higher than he prefers BUT not enough for constant meds right now.

I AM glad to hear of others experiencing the same thing - not that I wish this on anyone - but glad to know that I am not the only person to experience such issues. I know we all have to endure these changes and they are different for each person but MAN, it is hard sometimes - particularly when you want to do it natural.

Any further info would be greatly appreciated, and again thanks to all who responded!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am moderately active - most days you will find me stroll walking for a good 2 hours or more on my property - not power walking, mind you, but I do feel I am moderately active. I am limited somewhat from heavy stuffs due to chronic costochronditis - that bothers me about as much as the hot flashes - I like to work in the yard and this costo limits me greatly. On acupuncture, no, I haven't tried it but I do try to practice acupressure and/or trigger point manipulation - helps the costo, too.

...he says some of my readings are from the pain of costo ...

Well hello fellow costochondritis sufferer. Isn't it just grand....NOT! and yes, my blood pressure started with the freaking costo....argh. I have never been so scared in my life. I would wake up from a deep sleep from the pain. Sleep with ice packs. The only drug that works is aspirin btw.

I am glad that someone else knows the pain of this condition!!

Sincerely,
Suzanne

DeeDee that first part of my message was meant to be in quotes...sorry if that was confusing!!

Suzanne

Come to think of it - my BP started spiking when the costo hit, too. The doc stated that pain can cause higher BP readings - mine showed that . I treat mine by limiting heavy physical work - I used to be strong as an ox - now I am just an ole cow , plus 2 baby aspirin a day - sometimes I take it for 3+ weeks then I 'rest' the system until the pain comes back. I try to self massage any trigger points I find in my neck, upper back and chest plus my husband does the areas in my back that I can't reach. Combine that with 4 degenerating discs right smack in the area behind the rib cage. Ahhh, life is grand!!! Things like cleaning the bath tub creates so much pain - I think I need a maid - that excuse works for ME . Seriously, the chest spasms are the worse for me - I get to where I simply can't breathe - 5 minutes of massage and I feel like I have stepped out into the freshness after a thunderstorm (breathing wise) - it is amazing.

For those interested, my BP has normalized for the moment and also no hot flashes for the past few days. It has been like early Spring in my body - quite refreshing. So, I assume that the shifting hormones are indeed causing the spikes and the flashes. I wouldn't MIND the flashes if they gave me energy like I have read some comments but these babies simply drain me - all I want to do is sleep but time won't LET me sleep - have to work and take care of the family. Maybe this, too, will pass .

When I started this topic, I was concerned with the 2 weeks each month were the BP spiked and stayed spiked - I guess it isn't that big of an issue - it simply forces me to try to take some down time more often - I think we all need that anyway - this peri/meno stuffs is harder on us women!!!! If it means I sit and act like the belles in Gone With The Wind - so be it. Pass me a mint julep, please .

I sympathize, Suzanne, one condition is bad enough - combine it with other health issues - it is a wonder we don't simply go crazy!!

I have to pop into my drs office every week or so to have my BP monitored (I'm on Inderal for a thyroid problem and he doesn't want my BP to get to low as I improve). Well, I learned some interesting things... 90% of people will develop high blood pressure. Of those, 50% are women who develop it - (wanna guess? Yep, during menopause - beginning in their late 40's to mid 50's) Men come along about 10 years later and develop it after the age of 65. Yes, some do get it earlier (if HBP runs in the family, if they have diabetes etc.) And apparently, even those who live healthy lifestyles - they eat right, exercize, don't smoke, drink....it doesn't matter, many still end up with HBP. (when I asked why, he just shrugged and said - blood vessels)

The other thing I didn't know....your highest blood pressure read is in the morning, so if you have a home BP machine wait at least an hour or 2 (after rising) to take it. Not sure why, but it might have to do with retaining water overnight?? (anyone know??) BTW, the lowest reads will be at night...

Oh...(almost forgot this) If you feel faint (like you're going to pass out), or if you feel like your pulse is pounding/beating in your temples, your blood pressure might be high.

Anyway, just thought I'd pass on what I learned yesterday...

Tay!!! Thanks so much for that. My doc said more or less that it just happens as we age. He wants me to try and keep it as down as possible and not go on meds as yet...He said, once you are on them - you are on them for life.

Thank you very much for this reassuring post!!

Blessings
Suz

Suz, you're most welcome! And yes, apparently once you're on a BP med, most are on it for life, but here's something interesting. Remember in my post where I said HBP and water retention? Well the reason I said that was because of something he said. He was talking about HBP and medications and mentioned the first line of defense (nowadays anyway) is water pills. (not the type you buy over the counter - they're prescription). Who knew??

As for myself I'm elated! My BP was 101/76 with a heart rate of 82. A far cry from (exactly) 2 months ago when my BP was sky high and my heart was racing at 135 beats per minute. He guestimates I'll soon be off the pills, but for right now, I'm just happy!! (chuckle) BTW, here's an interesting fact too. I have what is called...ahh...I believe he said secondary HBP? Anyway, what that means is, I don't have 'typical' high blood pressure, but rather high blood pressure caused by my thyroid, so as this 'issue' resolves itself, my blood pressure will go back to normal. (yippee!)

Hey - if I'm gonna spend 80 bucks seeing a doctor, I'm gonna get my moneys worth...(chuckle), so I 'pumped' (pun intended) him with every question I could think of about high blood pressure since so many on here have questions about it.... glad I could offer reassurance!!

HUGS!!

My father and mother both have HBP and both have taken the "water pills." I read somewhere that, instead of taking the pres meds, one should just drink more water - a natural diuretic. Makes sense to me, because really all the water pill is doing is making you go the br a whole lot more.....

Wanted to clarify - my dad "had" HBP. He died in 1995. My mother still does and, at one time, was on 3 diff meds (one was a water pill). She is now on just one.